Shopping at Law Garden night market in Ahmedabad is retail therapy at its best. There is something about street shopping that shopaholics can’t resist, whether it is budget-friendly merchandise or fast-moving fashion and current designs. Both these make for a sure-shot dopamine rush when you see your bags full of goodies in vibrant colours and designs that are pocket friendly. When evening comes, makeshift stalls on both sides of Law Garden Road come alive as locals and tourists have a field day scavenging the vast array of items, bargaining and picking the best. Here is our list of five things to shop at Law Garden Night Market, Ahmedabad.
Chaniya Cholis: Come Navratri, and shoppers from all over Gujarat and even NRIs head to the Law Garden Night Market to shop for outfits and accessories for the nine days of Garba and Dandiya. Mirrorwork, embroidery and beads are used to embellish the chaniya cholis and kedias that dancers wear. Bandhani, Patola, and digital prints were trending during our visit. Here is a tip if you want to save money. Instead of picking an entire set of chaniya, choli and dupatta, you may want to do a mix and match. Or choose a chaniya/ghagra/ skirt and team it with a crop top that makes for good Indo-Western fusion wear, and throw in a bandhani dupatta from your wardrobe. Nowadays, most of the embroidery is machine-made, cheaper than traditional hand embroidery, which takes weeks and months to make.
Jutties: If you’re tired of wearing shoes and sandals, then the jutties are what you must pick. They come in myriad colours embellished with zari thread, sequins, mirrors, bells and beads. I prefer the ones open at the back to save myself from shoe bites. A good idea is to oil the jutties before wearing them. They usually take the shape of your feet, and a good pair will last you for years.
Bags, belts and accessories: From totes to sling bags to potli bags and pouches, you will find all sorts at Law Garden night market. They are designed using ajrakh fabric, tie and die, applique work, embroidery and faux leather. Embroidered belts with cowrie shells and bells are another favourite. Colourful embroidered caps and other paraphernalia to complete your Navaratri look are also sought after.
Jewellery: Chunky oxidised and silver jewellery at throwaway prices starting with as little as twenty rupees you will find here. The endless variety of earrings, bangles, anklets, necklaces, mang tikas and nose pins can be overwhelming for some leaving you confused. It helps to have your friend or better half around to assist in picking and choosing.
Home Furnishings: If you are looking for bedsheets, cushions, dohars, wall hangings, and tablecloths, you will have lots to pick and choose from at the Law Garden Night Market. Most of the designs are inspired from nature like elephants, peacocks, tree of life, flowers, etc. Applique work, block print, patchwork and embroidery are the most sought after pieces.
If you’re hungry after all that shopping, head to the nearby food vans, churning out multicuisine dishes ranging from chaats to Chinese, sandwiches to South Indian cuisine, and pizza to Punjabi food. For kids, there are joy rides on horse carriages, merry-go-rounds and Ferris wheels. An evening at the Law Garden Market is a must-do on every traveller’s list.
Shopping Tip: Do carry cash, as credit cards and UPI may not always be accepted. Be careful of your bags and purses lest, in all your shopping frenzy, you may forget one of them.
